Hôtel Anne de Bretagne

On the doorstep of several Loire Valley châteaux greats, this excellent-value budget hotel in Blois is the real deal. Two-star rooms are clean and functional, both families and cyclists are well cared for, and breakfast on the summer terrace promises a perfect start to the day.

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Rooms from

£38per night

Check-in

Check-out

Occupancy

Rooms

Adults

Children

Ages of children

Location

9/10

The hotel is set well back off avenue Gambetta, the main road into town, on a pretty square full of trees. Downtown Blois is a five-minute stroll away. Château Royal de Blois showcases the evolution of French architecture from the 13th to 17th centuries and is an essential for châteaux devotees on tour.

The château’s seasonal son et lumière (sound-and-light show), projected on its outer façade after dark April to September is one of the Loire Valley’s hottest dates. Undisputable king of Loire Valley châteaux, Château de Chambord is an easy 10-mile cycle (16 km) or drive from Blois; shuttle bus No 41 also links the two.

Style & character

8/10

From the colourful windowsill troughs of geraniums to the picture postcard ivy-covered façade and neat box hedges framing the front patio, Anne de Bretagne is a well-kempt, much-loved address loyal guests return to time and again. The hotel pays homage to one of French history’s female greats: Anne de Bretagne was queen of France twice, once following her marriage at the tender age of 14 to Charles VIII and again in 1499 after she wed Louis XII. 'Magnifique' and 'triumphante' are among her many virtues exalted in the historical text reproduced on the wall behind the hotel reception desk.

Service & facilities

8/10

Two-star Anne de Bretagne works hard to keep guests happy. Reception staff are always delighted to share their knowledge of the city, suggest châteaux-hopping itineraries along the valley, and dole out tourist literature. The hotel is part of the Loire à Vélo network and cyclists are warmly welcomed. Wheels can be locked up in the front yard and reception arranges bicycle rental. The hotel has no car park, but there is free street parking directly in front. When packing, leave the kitchen sink at home – Anne de Bretagne has four floors but no lift or porter service.

Bar

Wi-Fi

Rooms

8/10

There are 29 spick-and-span rooms in all, two of which take pride of place front of house with bijou balconies sitting snug against the ivy-smothered façade. Rooms have a desk, luggage rack and floral Provençal bedspreads in marigold yellow and cornflower-blue. Bathroom and toilet are always separate. Avoid top-floor rooms in July and August – they can get hot without air-conditioning or fans.

Food & drink

7/10

Breakfast mimics a French home; cereal, baguette, crackers, fruit compote, Bonne Maman jam and Camembert. An exception is the choice of demi-sel (salted) or doux (unsalted) butter. It is served beneath wooden beams in winter and on the front patio in warm weather.

Guests can order picnic lunches from €11.50 (£9) from the hotel, packed in a compact pillarbox-red isothermal bag. For other meals, Blois cooks up bags of options; try Les Banquettes Rouges for inventive bistro fare or Michelin-starred L’Orangerie du Chateau for modern French fine dining.

Value for money

8/10

Double rooms from €60 (£51) in low season; and from €69 (£59) in high. Breakfast not included and costs €8.50 (£7.30). Free Wi-Fi. It's closed January and late November to mid-December.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Two ground-floor rooms are wheelchair accessible.

Family-friendly?

The glass jar of jelly beans at reception is an instant hit with kids. Triple and quadruple rooms are family perfect. Breakfast for under 12s costs €5 (£4.30).